South Korean Scientists Develop High-Speed Water Filtration Device from CTF Material, Recyclable Without Efficiency Loss.
A research team at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), South Korea, has developed a new water purification method that can rapidly and efficiently remove microplastics and other contaminants, as reported by Interesting Engineering on December 31. The new research has been published in the journal Advanced Materials.
Prototype simulation of the high-speed water filtration system. Photo: Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
With the prevalence of plastics today, it is no surprise that microplastics are found almost everywhere on Earth, including areas considered to be clean. From the poles to the deepest ocean trenches and the highest mountain peaks, experts have discovered microplastic particles. They are moving up the food chain and reaching humans. Various materials are being researched to eliminate microplastics, including nanocellulose, semiconductor wires, magnetic “nano columns,” and filters made from sand, gravel, and biofilms.
In this new study, CTF (Covalent Triazene Framework) plays a crucial role. This material is highly porous and has a large surface area, providing ample space to capture collected molecules. Previous studies have also shown that similar compounds can remove organic dyes from industrial wastewater.
The research team modified the CTF molecules to make them more hydrophilic and then subjected the material to a mild oxidation process. Tests showed that 99.9% of contaminants were removed from the water in just 10 seconds due to the filter’s high-speed operation. Additionally, this material can be recycled multiple times without losing efficiency.
In another experiment, the scientists created a polymer version that can absorb sunlight, convert it to heat, and then use that heat to filter volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are also pollutants. Under sunlight radiation, this method can eliminate over 98% of VOCs. A prototype combining both types of membranes can remove over 99.9% of both types of contaminants (microplastics and VOCs).
“We expect this to be a global technology with high economic efficiency that can purify contaminated water and provide drinking water even in areas without electricity,” said Professor Park Chi-Young, the lead author of the study.
